The Toyota Prado is one of the top selling SUVs globally. It competes with the Land Rover Discovery, Mitsubishi Pajero, Nissan Pathfinder and the Ford Everest. The 2012 Toyota Prado falls in the J150 series that has been in production from 2009 to Present.

Detailed Review

The Prado is a large SUV that is powered by both petrol and diesel engines. The petrol engine is prevalent in Kenya because most Prados are shipped from the Japanese Domestic Market where petrol is preferred.

There are 3 engines offered with the 2010 Toyota Prado. These are;

The 2.7 Litre petrol 2TR-FE Engine

The 4.0 Litre Petrol 1GR-FE Engine

The 3.0 Litre Diesel 1KD -FTV D4D Engine

2012 Toyota Prado Grades
The Toyota Prado is a diverse car with grades ranging from the rudimentary GX to the highly advanced VX-L and TZ-G. If you are looking to buy the Prado 150, it is important to understand this grades..

The 2012 Toyota Prado is offered in 8 grades. These are: TX, TXL, GX, GXL, VX, VXL, TZ and TZG. Some of this grades are the same the only difference is the market in which they are sold. Below are the markets in which these grades are sold.

2012 Toyota Prado Fuel Consumption
The 2010 Toyota Prado TX Consumes an average of 8.5 km/L
The 2010 Toyota Prado VX Consumes an average of 10.0km/L
The 2010 Toyota Prado TZ Consumes an average of 6.5 km/L

2012 Toyota Prado Stability and Handling
The Toyota Prado 150 has a ground clearance of 220mm(8.67 Inches). It is a tall vehicle by all standards and it has a high center of gravity. Aggressive driving especially around corners is not advisable(This is a general rule for all 4x4s). The VX-L and TZ-G benefit from a raft of stability control sensors and a hydro-pneumatic suspension- KDSS – that lowers the vehicle at speed. These models are much more stable and have better handling.

Spare Parts Availability, Cost & Where to buy
The Toyota Prado 150 is not a particularly cheap car to maintain but when compared to its closest rival, the Land Rover Discovery, it is significantly cheaper. In our research, we found that most spare parts for the Toyota Prado 150 are available in Nairobi. We found that body parts and sensors can get very expensive(such as headlamps and height sensors). Service parts, mechanical parts and suspension parts are generally well priced.

2012 Toyota Prado ReliabilityThe driving conditions in Kenya are significantly different from those in Japan and Europe. Reliability reviews done for those markets largely do not apply to the Kenyan market. There are differences in roads, fuel, climate, spares, and technical expertise. To give you accurate and reliable local insights, we interview experts such as mechanics and car dealers, who have in-depth knowledge of the Kenyan market. We also test the cars ourselves. Our aim is to give you the right information to enable you make an informed decision when buying a car.

For this review, we interviewed Toyota mechanics and specialists to get insights on the Toyota Prado 150. Below are the most commonly reported issues

Cost of OwnershipPurchase Price: Between Ksh.4,500,000 and Ksh.4,900,000Comprehensive Insurance: Average Ksh. 170,000/- Per Annum Or3rd Party Insurance: Ksh. 7,000/-Change of Tyres(If neccessary) Ksh. 140,000/- for 4 TyresNB: figures as at October 2018

Petrol or Diesel? Which Prado Should You Buy
The Toyota Prado 150 is offered in both petrol and diesel engines. Many buyers struggle with the choice of which one to buy. In Kenya, diesel engines are preferred by 4×4 owners due to a number of reasons. Firstly, diesel fuel is significantly cheaper than petrol. Therefore, with a diesel engine, drivers greatly save on fuel costs. Secondly, diesel engines generally handle the rough work better than their petrol counterparts. This is due to the extra torque at low range, ideal for off road driving and carrying load.

But diesel engines have not been without fault. They have traditionally been expensive to maintain and less forgiving when poorly maintained. Modern diesel engines have changed greatly with the arrival of new technologies such as the common rail fuel injection system. Diesel engines are now clean, silent, powerful and cheaper to maintain while still retaining their traditionally desirable features.

The petrol engines are loved for being refined, smooth, clean, and silent. They are best suited for people with an urban lifestyle who occasionally go off-road. The petrol engines are easier to maintain and last longer than diesel engines.

The choice of engine greatly depends on your lifestyle. If you are an urban dweller with minimal requirement for towing and off-road ventures, then petrol will work just fine. But if you are the adventurous with regular towing and off road activities, then diesel is the most ideal.

What we like about the 2012 Toyota Prado
1. A great family car that can take you to the end of the world and back
2. Off road capability
3. 7 Seater Capacity
4. Proven reliability

What we don’t
Hesitant acceleration on the 2.7L Petrol

Conclusion
The Toyota Prado competes closely with the Land Rover Discovery which has been haunted by a history of unreliability. The Toyota Prado is a proven vehicle with stellar reliability which makes it the preferred option by many buyers.

Where to Buy the Toyota Prado
If you are shopping for a Toyota Prado, you are in the right place. We guarantee the lowest prices in the market, plus a high level of transparency and security. We strictly vet our dealers and they provide quality cars. Get in touch with us through our contacts below.

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